Rugby legend Sir Ian McGeechan has told Wales they need to stand up to a huge English physical onslaught in a way Ireland and France couldn't if they are to have any chance of winning Saturday's big Six Nations battle in Cardiff.

England were at their battering ram best in accounting for 2018 Grand Slam winners Ireland in their Six Nations opener and followed that up with their biggest win over the French (44-8) since 1911.

They will be looking to bring that physical dominance to the Principality Stadium as well for the biggest Six Nations clash since that famous 30-3 scoreline in 2013 that not only denied England a Grand Slam but gave Wales the Championship crown.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, McGeechan, who coached Scotland on two occasions and four Lions tours, sees the breakdown and physical war of attrition as two key battles Wales simply must win.

"Wales cannot have failed to notice that England’s superiority has been built on overwhelming physical dominance," said McGeechan.

"So to win the game it stands to reason Warren Gatland’s men are going to have to find a way of combating that physicality. Ultimately, Wales are going to have to challenge England in a way that Ireland and France could not.

"They are going to have to try things to unsettle England; to create a tempo that will knock them out of their stride. Neither Ireland nor France could do that.

Ross Moriarty of Wales is tackled by Elliot Daly of England in a previous match. This one will be just as physical

"Quick ball from the set-piece, then go wide from first or second phase? Perhaps flood one side of the ruck, or switch over at the last minute?

"But ultimately, it will come back to physicality and to the breakdown.

"If Wales can slow down England in the contact area, or move them around when they have the ball, that will stop England getting that width, that kicking variety, that fast phase play, which they deployed to such devastating effect against Ireland and France."

McGeechan backed Wales to win the tournament before the action got under way and says they have found a way past France and Italy, despite not firing properly.

"Wales stop teams from scoring because they are so disciplined and structured. But really it will depend on whether they can compete with England at the breakdown. Everything comes back to those collisions at the contact area," he added.